NHL Playoffs 2013: Toronto Maple Leafs Who Must Step Up to Win Game 2

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty ImagesCarl Gunnarsson is one of a handful of Leafs defenders that must improve on his Game 1 performance.

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With the Toronto Maple Leafs set to play their second game of the 2013 NHL Playoffs on Saturday night, the organization as well as its fans are sure to be on pins and needles after the team's lackluster opener.

After scoring the initial goal just a few minutes into the contest, the Leafs self-destructed, as head coach Randy Carlyle put it (via Sportsnet's Chris Johnston).

Saturday night, however, presents an opportunity for Toronto to get back in the series and steal home-ice advantage from the Boston Bruins. A win would be huge for the Leafs, as the Air Canada Centre is sure to be electric for Games 3 and 4 next week.

Which players should the Leafs faithful be watching for to step up on Saturday night?

NazemKadri

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Toronto's Nazem Kadri knows he has to be better moving forward.

After Kadri emerged in 2013 as the bright young star the organization had hoped he would become, the expectations for him were high entering the postseason.

In fact, Kadri drew even more attention to himself ahead of Game 1 when he gave the Bruins some bulletin-board material by telling the media that this series is a "very, very, winnable" one (via CBC Sports):

Leafs' NazemKadri says Bruins series is 'very, very winnable' cbc.sh/WT0DD8D

Kadri, however, was just one of many Leafs who had a very disappointing first game.

The youngster's lack of playoff experience showed and the Bruins were able to successfully push him off his game, forcing him to turn the puck over and never letting him carry the puck for too long. They continually took away any momentum he was gathering.

The result? Kadri was not able to generate any offensive zone opportunities for his club.

This was also a double whammy because Kadri is one of the better puck-handlers for Toronto, and when he is shut down, the Leafs' already-struggling puck possession game takes a further hit.

It will be on everyone who plays on Toronto's back end to pressure the Bruins as they enter the Leafs' zone and win some more battles along the boards. Upon gaining control of the puck, they must be able to pass the puck to players who are open and clear the zone without giving the puck back to Boston.

Conclusion

Some may be wondering why I didn't include Phil Kessel or James Reimer in this piece.

The answer is fairly simple.

First, Kessel didn't have a terrible game on Wednesday. It was his shot on Wednesday that led to the goal in front of Boston's net and his line was one of the decent parts of Toronto's game.

Could he be better? Of course. Just about everyone can improve on Game 1's performance. But Kessel's game wasn't as worrisome as those mentioned above.

As for Reimer, he stopped 36 of 40 shots on Wednesday.

Those who think he let in too many soft goals also need to remember he was badly screened on the first, yet still managed to get a piece of the Wade Redden shot. The second goal was a tip that he really had no chance at stopping, while the third tally came in the high slot after not one, but two giveaways by his teammates.

If Reimer's defensemen can be better in front of him, the way he played in Game 1 should be sufficient to win Game 2.